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Best Jodie Foster Movies
11th Nov 2025
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Jodie Foster's acting career spans decades, marked by unforgettable performances and iconic roles. From her precocious beginnings to her commanding presence as a director, Foster has consistently delivered nuanced and powerful portrayals of complex characters. This poll celebrates her vast filmography, highlighting the movies that have resonated most with audiences and critics alike. Get ready to revisit some of your favorite cinematic moments starring this legendary actress. Now it's your turn to weigh in! Which Jodie Foster film stands out as the best in your mind? Choose from a selection of her most acclaimed and beloved works, or write in your own if your personal favorite isn't listed. Your vote helps determine the definitive ranking of Jodie Foster's impressive career. Cast your ballot now and join the discussion on the movies that have solidified her place as one of Hollywood's true greats.
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#2.
Little Man Tate (1991)
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"Little Man Tate" (1991) is a touching and insightful drama about Dede, a fiercely independent single mother raising her exceptionally gifted son, Fred. Upon discovering Fred's prodigious intellect, Dede is faced with the challenge of nurturing his extraordinary abilities while protecting him from exploitation and ensuring he doesn't lose his childhood. She grapples with providing him the opportunities he needs to thrive academically without sacrificing his emotional well-being, navigating the complexities of a world that often struggles to understand and accommodate such unique individuals. "Little Man Tate" earns its place among Jodie Foster's best films not only because she stars as the devoted mother Dede, but also because she directed it, showcasing her talent behind the camera. Foster delivers a nuanced and compelling performance, portraying Dede's unwavering love and fierce protectiveness with remarkable sensitivity. More importantly, her directorial vision brings a delicate and empathetic touch to the story, exploring the challenges and triumphs of both a gifted child and the parent striving to do what is best for them. The film cemented Foster's reputation as a multi-talented force in Hollywood, demonstrating her ability to both act and direct with remarkable skill.
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The Beaver (2011)
"The Beaver" (2011) presents a darkly comedic exploration of mental illness through the lens of Walter Black (Mel Gibson), a depressed CEO who finds an unconventional outlet for his struggles by adopting a beaver hand puppet as his alter ego. As Walter's relationship with his family crumbles, the puppet, dubbed "The Beaver," becomes his sole means of communication and connection, offering him a disturbing yet strangely effective coping mechanism. His adolescent son, Porter (Anton Yelchin), watches his father's descent with growing alarm, leading him to urge his parents toward divorce. Jodie Foster directs and co-stars as Walter's wife, Meredith, adding another layer of complexity to this unsettling and poignant film. While not a conventional "best of" pick, "The Beaver" earns its place in a discussion of Jodie Foster's best films primarily due to her directorial vision. She tackles the sensitive subject of depression with a blend of black humor and genuine empathy, coaxing a compelling performance from Gibson and creating a thought-provoking narrative about the depths of despair and the desperate measures people take to find solace. Though controversial at the time of its release, the film showcases Foster's commitment to challenging material and her ability to extract powerful performances from her cast, solidifying her reputation as a talented and insightful filmmaker. The movie, while uncomfortable, is a demonstration of a director's ability to tell a difficult story effectively.
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Little Man Tate (1991)
"Little Man Tate" (1991) is a touching and insightful drama about Dede, a fiercely independent single mother raising her exceptionally gifted son, Fred. Upon discovering Fred's prodigious intellect, Dede is faced with the challenge of nurturing his extraordinary abilities while protecting him from exploitation and ensuring he doesn't lose his childhood. She grapples with providing him the opportunities he needs to thrive academically without sacrificing his emotional well-being, navigating the complexities of a world that often struggles to understand and accommodate such unique individuals. "Little Man Tate" earns its place among Jodie Foster's best films not only because she stars as the devoted mother Dede, but also because she directed it, showcasing her talent behind the camera. Foster delivers a nuanced and compelling performance, portraying Dede's unwavering love and fierce protectiveness with remarkable sensitivity. More importantly, her directorial vision brings a delicate and empathetic touch to the story, exploring the challenges and triumphs of both a gifted child and the parent striving to do what is best for them. The film cemented Foster's reputation as a multi-talented force in Hollywood, demonstrating her ability to both act and direct with remarkable skill.
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Home for the Holidays (1995)
"Home for the Holidays" (1995) follows Claudia Larson as her meticulously planned Thanksgiving crumbles around her. After losing her job, sharing an ill-advised kiss with her soon-to-be ex-boss, and learning her daughter plans to spend the holiday with her boyfriend, Claudia reluctantly heads home to face her eccentric and often exasperating family. She embarks on a chaotic journey filled with sibling rivalry, questionable cooking, and the simmering tensions that only a family gathering can unleash, leaving her wondering if she'll survive the holiday intact. While "Home for the Holidays" isn't the first title that springs to mind when considering Jodie Foster's most iconic roles, it deserves a spot on the list of her best work for a few key reasons. As the director, Foster demonstrates a deft hand at comedic timing and character development, creating a relatable and ultimately heartwarming story about the complexities of family. She expertly balances the broad humor with moments of genuine emotion, showcasing her directorial range beyond the dramatic thrillers she's often associated with. The film's success solidified Foster's growing reputation as a talented filmmaker, proving she could excel both in front of and behind the camera.
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Money Monster (2016)
"Money Monster" (2016) plunges viewers into the high-stakes world of live financial television, where charismatic host Lee Gates, a self-proclaimed guru of the stock market, dispenses advice and entertains with bombastic flair. His producer, Patty Fenn, keeps the show running smoothly behind the scenes. However, their carefully orchestrated world is shattered when Kyle Budwell, a desperate and enraged investor who lost everything following Gates' on-air tip, storms the studio with a bomb strapped to Gates. What begins as a hostage situation rapidly escalates into a gripping and thought-provoking thriller that forces Gates and Patty to confront the real-world consequences of their actions and navigate the complex web of corporate greed that led to Kyle's financial ruin. While "Money Monster" might not be the first title that comes to mind when discussing Jodie Foster's iconic filmography, it rightfully earns a place among her best. Foster directs with a confident hand, masterfully building tension and crafting a compelling narrative that explores themes of responsibility, media ethics, and the devastating impact of financial manipulation. More importantly, she elicits powerful performances from her cast, particularly George Clooney and Julia Roberts, and ensures the film delivers a relevant and timely social commentary without sacrificing entertainment value. Foster's direction elevates "Money Monster" beyond a simple thriller, making it a sharp and engaging film that showcases her considerable talent behind the camera.
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The Day They Stole the Mona Lisa
While "The Day They Stole the Mona Lisa" may not be a quintessential Jodie Foster performance in the same vein as "Silence of the Lambs" or "Taxi Driver," its presence on the list of her best works is justified by its sheer charm and historical context. Foster shines as a spirited, intelligent young woman caught up in the daring theft of the world's most famous painting. The film allows her to showcase her early talent for conveying both vulnerability and determination, a trait that would define many of her later, more complex roles. Beyond the acting, the film offers a glimpse into the early stages of her career, demonstrating her commitment to projects that were both entertaining and thought-provoking, laying the foundation for the diverse and challenging roles she would later embrace. Furthermore, "The Day They Stole the Mona Lisa" is a fascinating look at a pivotal moment in art history and its impact on popular culture. The film captures the excitement and intrigue surrounding the theft, offering a lighthearted yet engaging perspective on the event. Foster's character provides a compelling audience surrogate, allowing viewers to experience the mystery and chaos firsthand. Though the film is a departure from some of her more dramatic roles, it highlights Foster's versatility as an actress and her ability to bring depth and nuance to even lighter fare, making it a worthwhile addition to any compilation of her best cinematic achievements.
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Woman at War
While technically not a Jodie Foster movie, "Woman at War" (2018) deserves a spot on a list celebrating her impact on cinema for its planned, though ultimately unrealized, remake starring and directed by Foster. The original Icelandic film, a captivating and fiercely independent story of a woman who wages war against the aluminum industry to protect her homeland's natural beauty, perfectly aligns with the kind of complex, politically charged, and character-driven narratives that have long defined Foster's career. Imagine Foster's nuanced portrayal of Halla, a choir director by day and eco-saboteur by night - the quiet strength, the unwavering conviction, and the inner turmoil as she grapples with personal desires versus her environmental activism. Though the remake never materialized, the fact that Foster championed "Woman at War" speaks volumes about her artistic sensibilities and her commitment to projects with profound social and environmental relevance. Its inclusion on this list serves as a testament to Foster's discerning eye for quality storytelling and her willingness to support powerful, unconventional narratives, even when she's not directly in front of the camera. "Woman at War," through Foster's attempted stewardship, represents the spirit of her best work: intelligent, impactful, and unapologetically challenging.
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